Meche's future unclear

Rumor has Mariners pitcher going to Cubs for Patterson

Published 10:00 pm, Wednesday, December 21, 2005

From his Louisiana home, Gil Meche followed Mariners news carefully over the past week -- the Internet made it hard to ignore, he said -- and was happy to learn the club tendered him a 2006 contract.

He "definitely" wants to pitch in Seattle next year, but he knows that might not happen.

"I've been hearing the trade rumors, too, so it's not exactly for sure that I'll be in Seattle," he said Wednesday. "You never know what the actual plans are. We'll see."

Meche, he of the powerful right arm and 44-36 career record, has been a frequent visitor to the rumor mill during his career. He is there once again, linked to Chicago Cubs center fielder Corey Patterson.

The teams have had internal discussions about both players. New Mariners batting coach Jeff Pentland, who coached Patterson in Chicago, gave Seattle officials a very favorable report. A Meche-for-Patterson deal would make Seattle more willing to part with center fielder Jeremy Reed, given Reed's market value in the wake of Johnny Damon's defection from Boston.

With Cleveland's price on Coco Crisp high to the point of unavailability, Reed is Boston's next-best option, according to industry sources. In other words, Seattle's bargaining position has improved dramatically.

"The leverage has turned," one source said. "Even though Seattle desperately needs another starting pitcher, Boston desperately needs an outfielder. Boston has to do something."

That shift could help the Mariners have their pick of a pitcher in return -- Bronson Arroyo or Matt Clement -- and ensure that the Red Sox assume some of Clement's remaining salary if that's who is dealt.

Boston is not expected to include David Wells in trade talks with the Mariners. The lefty's preferred destinations are restricted to Southern California.

WHITHER FRANKLIN: Bill Bavasi, the Seattle general manager, said Tuesday he planned to discuss a 2006 contract with free agent right-hander Ryan Franklin, who was non-tendered by the Mariners on Tuesday.

But Franklin appears to have little, if any, reciprocal interest. Jay Franklin, his agent and older brother, said that 14 clubs contacted him to express interest Wednesday -- making a return to Seattle highly unlikely.

Franklin was 8-15 with a 5.10 ERA this year, but his workload over the past three seasons (604 innings) is second only to Jamie Moyer among Mariners pitchers over that span.

"If you're looking for a guy who gives you 200 innings a year, good luck finding him," Jay Franklin said. "You're going to pay him $40 million-$50 million. I don't think it would take $40 million-$50 million to sign Ryan Franklin.

"There's no remorse here. No hard feelings. I'm just stating the facts of what they were looking for. They didn't need to look any further than what they had.

"Find me another fifth starter who hasn't been on the DL in three years."

NOTES: Outfielder Jamal Strong, cut Tuesday, will look to play in the National League next year. His speed-and-defense skill set is best suited to that league. ... Seattle has discussed Kazuhisa Ishii with the left-hander's agent, Joe Urbon. ... Meche, on new pitching coach Rafael Chaves: "He has a really good relationship with the guys on the staff that he had in the minor leagues. He's honest, fun to be around. If he doesn't like something you're doing, he'll let you know."